Renewed Calls to Make Welsh an Official European Union Language

The website "partyofwales.org" under the headline "Only Plaid Cymru Will Promote The Welsh Language in Europe", a sitting member of the European Parliament (MEP) makes an argument for the Welsh language. Citing the fact that over 600,000 residents of Wales speak the Celtic tongue, MEP Jill Evans representing Wales,  has renewed calls to make Welsh an official language of the European Union.  This would grant Welsh the same status as English.  Evans goes on to cite the benefits to the Irish language that accrued to Gaelic after the Celtic tongue of Ireland was recognised as an official European Union language in 2007.  Evans argues that Welsh should receive the same benefits.

“Making Welsh an official European Union language is a matter of respect for our bilingual nation but it would also provide a boost to the economy. Nearly six hundred thousand of us here in Wales are bilingual – able to speak both Welsh and English, but this is not recognized, by the EU. Both of our official languages should have equal status.  Welsh must be made an official language and equal to other languages in Europe. This would ensure that our rights as European citizens are realized but would also have a significant effect on the economy and on the language’s status as well. Gaelic in Ireland was made official in 2007 and many benefits have resulted from this status."

"More young people study the language in Universities, the translation industry is thriving as the language’s worth as a skill that can be used in jobs both at home and in European Institutions has increased. Many young people in Wales are bilingual and it is unacceptable that one of their languages – Welsh – does not count as a language if they are applying for jobs in the European Union."

http://www.partyofwales.org/news/2014/05/21/only-plaid-cymru-will-promote-the-welsh-language-in-europe/